Wiring Questions/MSD Ignition

[Dirk35]

Can someone give hints and ideas to track down why my 35 will not start?

I am not getting spark when I pull out a spark plug and put it to arc on the intake or the alternator. (they make good ground and should arc).

Its a 302 Ford engine, with a MSD 6A iginition box, a MSD Blaster Coil, and a MSD Distributor. I followed the directions for all three.

I hooked up the ground on the iginiton box to the frame ground (its a good ground). I hooked up the power to switched on power. The box has two little wires that go to the coil and they are plugged in (orange and black). The Box has two wires that go to the distributor and they are plugged in (Purple and Green).

It cranks over just fine, the volt meter goes nuts when I put it on the coil wire, yet the little wires that attach to the outside of the coil seem to be dead.

Can you give me ideas to look for?

[Uncle Bob]

Had the same issue on my '40 when taking it out of winter storage last month.  Here's the tech info to contact MSD;http://www.msdignition.com/1support.htm

[Uncle Bob]

It occurs to me I should have elaborated a bit more.  The advantage to dealing with MSD tech is that if you can or can't determine the problem, they will give you authorization to return the defective piece(s).  A friend who runs a rod shop says about half of the units he's returned have been repaired/replaced at no charge (except shipping costs).

[Dirk35]

Thanks Bob. Ill keep that in mind.

I want to go over every wire again 1st before I call them to insure I did it right.

[Dirk35]

Found it!

Short Version:

You kow how with a Chevy, when you twist the iginition switch, everythign comes on, then when you push to start, everythign BUT the iginition turns back off again? The "Switched on" Power Wire was not a wire that was ON when switch was moved to start position. (I used the wire for the Cruise Control). If I remeber right, this is a Pink wire on the Chevy Ignition Switch.

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Short Story Long:

Pulled a plug out and layed it on the intake to watch for spark. It seemed to be getting power through the iginition system, but it was intermittant and would only spark the plug every great once in a while (well ONE SPARK ONLY). Not consistant spark with each rotation. Seen ONLY ONE SPARK whole time. Iginition box must be shorted out.

Lets try easy things First.

Made sure #1 at Top Dead Center and Plug wires in correct location on the cap. Pull Distributor out and make sure in correct position. Try Again, no help.

I took and traced every wire, and all seemed good. RE-Read the instructions, no help.
-Heavy Black=ground
-Heavy Red=Constant power
-Small Red= Switched on Power (I used the Pink wire on iginition switch)
-Green wire & Purple Wire=Distributor (these excite the whole system)
-Orange & Black w/ Brown Stripe= Coil Positive and Negative
-Plug in wire= to Tach
-White Wire=Not used

Called My brother to bring over volt Meter and help. Im at a loss! only seen ONE WHOLE SPARK.

It was showing no power to the two coil wires, WTF? Re-read instructions and they said this is standard, even with ignition on. Ok, this is not help, Next Step.

It was showing it was sending power to the coil when you cross-over the Green and Purple wire, turn the switch on, lay the coil wire on a grounded surface, , Break the Connection on the two, it Arcs. GOOD, Iginition Box is Working, So is the Coil! Making Improvment....At least the Instructions say the Iginition Box and Coil are good. No, Help.

Pull the Distributor out. Looks really simple, the Distributor is what Excites the whole system by breaking connection when spun, thus telling the Iginition Box to Start up and Put Power too the Coil. Nothing to do here. Pulled the Coil Contact thingy on the rotar up a little to insure it is making contact. Put it all back together, Still, only an occasional Spark. Next Step. No spark when cranking, but seen a spark again...... I have NOW gotten the Spark Plug to Spark TWICE! We are really moving forward here (Saracism).

Re-trace EVERY Wire..AGAIN. Seems Good. Next Step.

Check Each connection with Volt Meter to insure connectors and no breaks inside the wire insulation. Seems Good, Next Step. Try again, No Spark.

Pull each plug out, re-gap them. Seems good, Next Step. Try it all again, No spark.

Try it all again.........

This time, My Brother is out watching the Spark Plug, I am cranking it over. Crank it over........Nothing........But, It sparked when stopped cranking. MY BROTHER (we will call him Shane...since that is his name) has an Ephifany!

Check the Small Red wire to the Iginition Box. It is good when switch is in the ON Position. Turn the Switch to Start Position, NO POWER! Cut the wire, run it directly to the Battery. EUREKA! WOOHOO! YAY!! YIPIEE!

VROOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!

It started and idled down and ran actually quite well for not being in time at all, and its FIRST START! I only let it run for a few seconds since it sounded like I need to re-prime the oil pump. It was building up oil pressure, but real slow. Im giddy like a Little School Girl! I bet I smiled all night in my sleep!

Now I gotta re-run that Small power Wire to the Ignition box.

[Uncle Bob]

Good for you.  Sorry I didn't realize this was a first time firing issue.